When the Pirates have the ball: Speed pistol option. … Scored 176 points (16 ppg.) in 2011. … Matt Faucher and Pickett are in the mix at QB. Faucher gives an added dimension running the ball, while Pickett is a playmaker that can also play WR. … Barrie was named to the Division 4 all-star team last year and returns at WR, along with Elliot. … Mike Faucher leads a solid group of runners.

When their opponents have the ball: 4-4 defense. … Allowed 322 points (29.3 ppg.) in 2011. … Mike Faucher, Ton and Elliot lead the linebackers, a strength for the Pirates. … Pickett and Barrie should team with Matt Faucher, Cattachio and Coats to solidify the secondary. … Trella, Engdahl, Krouse, Menzdorf, Hemingway and Burley will rotate in on the line.

In the trenches: Plenty of competition for the spots between Engdahl, Trella, Krouse, Ton, Machunski, Burley, Howard, Shultz and Menzdorf.

One to watch: Barrie emerged as an offense threat last year for the Pirates and will be relied on as a key point for the new offense installed by Adams.

The quote: “We plan on running the ball with great success and hit the passes when available,” Adams said. “We want the ball in our playmakers’ hands most of the time and utilize our formations and what the defense is giving us in order to be successful.”

Schedule:

Sept. 8…at Bay Path, noon

Sept. 14…South, 7

Sept. 22…David Prouty, 7

Sept. 29…at Uxbridge, 1

Oct. 5…at Tantasqua, 7

Oct. 12…at Nashoba Tech, 7

Oct. 19…at Grafton, 7

Oct. 26…Northbridge, 7

Nov. 2…Shepherd Hill, 7

Nov. 9…at Leicester, 7

Nov. 22…Auburn, 10 a.m.

Key game: Sept. 29 at Uxbridge. Should be interesting to see how the Pirates do with their new schemes under Adams against the improved Spartans.

2011 results:

Bay Path 26…Oxford 13

Oxford 39…South 13

David Prouty 28…Oxford 7

Uxbridge 28…Oxford 7

Oxford 28…Tantasqua 27

Oxford 35…Nashoba Tech 14

Grafton 37…Oxford 19

Northbridge 34…Oxford 0

Shepherd Hill 40…Oxford 7

Leicester 34…Oxford 14

Auburn 41…Oxford 7

Jim’s take: The Pirates have talented players that should improve under Adams and his staff — which includes former Worcester Tech football coach Ron Silvestri. Oxford is going to rely on the athleticism of its players in order to run the pistol offense, which should be exciting to watch.